The Boy Scouts of America has announced that it is switching to a gender inclusive name, following the decision to accept girls in its ranks.
In a statement on Wednesday, the 118-year-old scouting organization said that it will be dropping the word "boy" from its name as part of the "Scout Me In" campaign, which aims to promote inclusiveness.
Chief Scout Executive Mike Surbaugh said that the name change would take effect in February 2019. The umbrella organization will be retaining its name, Boy Scouts of America (BSA), while its flagship program, Boy Scouts, will be called Scouts BSA. The Cub Scouts, which accepts children aged between 7 and 10, will remain unchanged.
"As we enter a new era for our organization, it is important that all youth can see themselves in Scouting in every way possible," Surbaugh said, according to USA Today.
Surbaugh said that more than 3,000 girls have already enrolled in the BSA's Early Adopter Program and are participating in the Cub Scouts, ahead of the full launch of the policy to accept female members this summer.
In response to the name change, the Girl Scouts of the USA released a statement insisting that it is still the "premier leadership development organization for girls."
"We are, and will remain, the first choice for girls and parents who want to provide their girls with opportunities to build new skills; explore STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and the outdoors; participate in community projects; and grow into happy, successful, and civically engaged adults," Sylvia Acevedo, CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, stated, according to a blog post published on the official Girls Scouts website.
Girl Scouts in some regions are already feeling the effect of the policy to allow girls into the BSA.
Fiona Cummings, regional leader of Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, said that her council's youth membership had shrunk by more than 500 girls this year due to the BSA policy.
She told The Associated Press that the Girl Scouts and the BSA in her region used to have a collaborative relationship, but it has become "very chilly."
Both groups have been experiencing a decline in membership in recent years. The BSA claims to have 2.3 million members in its youth programs, down from 2.6 million in 2013. The Girl Scouts membership has decreased from 2 million youth members in 2014 to 1.76 million today.
The BSA contended that decision to accept girls would allow families to consolidate programs for children.
"Cub Scouts is a lot of fun, and now it's available to all kid. That's why we love 'Scout Me In' — because it speaks to girls and boys and tells them, 'This is for you. We want you to join!'" said Stephen Medlicott, BSA marketing director, as reported by USA Today.
